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When Bias Goes Too Far

Implicit bias has been a hot topic in the news. Some go as far as saying it's played a role in many police-involved shootings of African-Americans. Bias training expert Darnell Blackburn, himself a former police officer, says everyone has bias. He says the problem comes when it goes too far and results in bad choices.

Blackburn will deliver a free, publicpresentation titled "Understanding Unconscious and Implicit Bias" at Miller Auditorium on Wednesday, April 10th (9:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.). Hear a sneak peek at 8:34 a.m. today on Morning Edition and at 5:20 p.m. on All Things Considered when WMUK's Earlene McMichael interviews him.

Credit Courtesy photo
Darnell Blackburn

Blackburn's interactive talk is offered by several area employers as part of the 21st annual Respecting Differences program. It was begun as a collaboration between Western Michigan University and the city of Kalamazoo and now includes Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo Valley Community College, the city of Portage, Kalamazoo County, and Kalamazoo Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services as sponsors.

Blackburn has worked in law inforcement for more than 27 years in Michigan, including as an Auburn Hills police officer and Michigan State University special events security staff member. For the last 16 years, he has been a district field representative for the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards. He is also CEO of Protecting Resources through Awareness Training LLC, a training and consulting service based in Clinton Township in Macomb County.

long-web-implicitbias-040519.mp3
Hear longer interview (approx. 19 mins.)